Summer Camp
Summer Camp: About
At Camp Stevens, summer campers experience the best of childhood and young adulthood; they find wonder in the natural world, build meaningful connections with peers, gain confidence from trying new things, and strengthen their own values with the support of caring counselors and staff.
2024 Summer Camp Dates Coming this Winter
How to Register
Registration for Summer 2024 will open in February. If you need a hard copy registration packet please email registrar@campstevens.org or call our office at (760)765-0028. The hard copies are only to be used for summer camp registrations for camper families without access to the internet or a computer. We encourage all families to register their campers through our online registration portal if able.
Tiered Pricing
Tiered pricing options allow you to pick the price that works for your family. We ask that you pay Tier A whenever possible to ensure camp prices stay affordable for families in need. Families that need additional assistance beyond tiered pricing can apply to our campership fund, which is supported by individual donations, organizations, and grants. You can find the campership application below.
Families that need financial assistance can apply by clicking on the application button below. If applying for a campership, please register your camper first and then fill out the online campership application. You should hear from us about the status of your application in 2-3 weeks.
Episcopal Identity and Inclusion
You and your family are welcome here! As an Episcopal camp, we are passionate about being a safe space for all campers. We celebrate a rich diversity of campers and staff including national origin, creed, religious belief, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, and ability. We hold a weekly Eucharist where groups bring offerings of art, bread, juice, or readings, and all campers are invited to participate in a way that fits with their diverse religious beliefs and practices.
Our Program
Each camper is assigned to an Adventure Group, composed of 12-15 campers, which is led by two counselors and one senior staff member. The Adventure Groups explore over 250 acres of forests, trails, gardens, buildings, team-building challenges, and outdoor play areas. Each group cooks out over a campfire and sleeps under the stars at least once a week. Older campers may challenge themselves on the high ropes course, and younger campers aim for new heights on the climbing wall. All campers have the option to try classic camp activities such as swimming, archery, and arts and crafts.
We work to ensure each camper leaves with a greater sense of self-love, confidence, spirituality, and creativity from a week of being accepted as they are in a compassionate community. We believe that by exploring together in a group they develop a greater sense of empathy and responsibility to others and ready to face new challenges in the future. We hope that they feel inspired by their time in nature and have a deeper desire to become stewards of the earth.
Program Readiness
We often have parents and caregivers ask if their child is ready for camp. Except for special sessions where pre-requisites are listed, summer sessions at Camp Stevens are open to all campers within the listed age requirements. However, each child is different and readiness is an important component of a successful camp experience. General indicators of readiness for summer camp include:
- Camper expresses excitement about attending camp.
- Camper can manage their daily self-care tasks like teeth brushing, hair care, showering, etc.
- Camper is curious about nature and the outdoors. Ideally they have gone camping or hiking before.
- Camper understands that Camp Stevens is rustic and outdoorsy and will include at least one overnight under the stars in addition to sleeping overnight in cabins.
- Camper is ready to compromise and understands that the camp experience will be shared with others who also have ideas, needs, and preferences.
- Camper understands that they won’t have their cell phone or be able to call home during their time at camp (see camper packet for information on how to write emails and receive letters).
If your camper does not meet these indicators of readiness, consider waiting another year or two or contact us about your child and what accommodations they may need in order to be successful at camp.
Staff
Camp Stevens staff and counselors are selected for their creativity, energy, kindness, and maturity. Each counselor and staff member participates in an intensive 10-day leadership program that focuses on group management, conflict resolution, bullying prevention and response, child development, creative programming, equity and inclusion, and activity leadership. Nurses, Chaplains, and camp leadership staff provide additional layers of support and guidance to ensure your camper’s physical, emotional, and spiritual safety.
Food Philosophy
We take great care to serve wholesome whole foods that parents approve and kids love. We build our menu around fresh produce, scratch-baked breads and desserts, free-range chicken and turkey, organic dairy products, and garden herbs and veggies. Food is served family-style and campers have lots of options on the table to ensure they get plenty to eat. We’re committed to providing alternatives for our vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and allergy-affected campers.
Location and Transportation
Camp Stevens is located near the mountain town of Julian, CA. We’re an hour and a half northeast of San Diego, and three hours southeast of Los Angeles. Charter bus transportation is available from stops in Burbank, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Corona, downtown San Diego, and La Mesa.
Wilderness Trips
Wilderness Trip Registration Opens in February.
Wilderness Trips offer older campers new opportunities for adventure and challenge. Teens venture off camp, bringing the magic of the Camp Stevens community into a new context. Each trip offers a personal connection to a unique group of people and a unique ecosystem or natural wonder. Trips are led by experienced staff and guides so challenge yourself to try something new, or participate in a favorite adventure.
Counselor Training & Info for Returning Counselors
Information about counselor training and how to register available this Winter
